Staff Reports
Attorney General Merrick Garland is facing potential legal trouble after the House of Representatives voted to hold him in contempt. This vote came as a result of his alleged attempts to cover up audio from Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur regarding mishandling classified documents. Some say the audio is more damaging than the transcript that has been made public.
In a rare move, the House used its power of contempt to push for legal action against Garland. This power is typically used to enforce compliance with subpoenas and investigations. Recent cases involving allies of former President Donald Trump have shown that contempt resolutions can lead to legal consequences.
The House just voted to hold Garland in Contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas. If the DOJ has not indicted him by June 25, I will call a vote to hold him in inherent contempt of Congress, and he will be forced to produce the recordings or be held by the Sergeant at Arms. pic.twitter.com/xybEAA3DbE
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) June 12, 2024
Despite the contempt resolution, the Department of Justice has declared that Garland is immune from prosecution as they believe the criminal contempt of Congress statute does not apply to Executive Branch officials. However, Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is determined to hold Garland accountable through an “inherent contempt” resolution, even if the DOJ refuses to act.
Luna believes that there should be accountability at all levels of government, especially when it comes to top officials like the Attorney General. She is prepared to force a vote on her resolution to arrest Garland if necessary. Luna’s commitment to upholding the rule of law showcases her dedication to justice and transparency in government.
The White House has defended Garland’s actions, citing political motives for not releasing the audio recordings. They argue that there is no legitimate need for the recordings and accuse politicians of trying to manipulate them for political gain. This partisan behavior raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the government.
Overall, this situation highlights the ongoing tensions between branches of government and the importance of holding officials accountable for their actions. It remains to be seen what further steps will be taken to address the controversy surrounding Attorney General Merrick Garland.
